Spain Opposes New EU Immigration Policies Establishing Deportation Centers Outside Europe
The EU has approved new immigration reforms including deportation centers outside its territory, but Spain opposes key aspects such as reduced migrant solidarity quotas.
- • The EU Council approved immigrant deportation centers outside the EU, inspired by Italy.
- • Spain opposes these centers and the reduction of migrant solidarity quotas from 30,000 to 21,000.
- • Magnus Brunner emphasized combating human trafficking and promoting legal migration.
- • Illegal immigration is a highly lucrative business generating billions annually.
- • Spain criticizes the reduced migrant relocation quotas within the new EU policy.
Key details
The European Union has recently advanced a set of immigration policy reforms, notably the creation of immigrant deportation centers located outside the EU. These centers are modeled after Italy’s approach under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The European Council also approved a new regulation regarding safe third countries, expected to be ratified by the European Parliament soon. These measures aim to address irregular migration by enhancing the return of migrants and encouraging legal migration through initiatives such as the EU Talent Pool to fill labor shortages.
Despite broad acceptance within the EU, Spain remains the sole country opposing these new measures. Spain's government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has expressed its dissatisfaction particularly with the reduction in migrant solidarity quotas from an initial 30,000 to 21,000 annually. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska criticized this reduction, which Spain views as a setback in shared responsibility for migrant relocation.
Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Migration, described the adoption of these policies as a “great day” that will significantly change European migration politics. He highlighted the importance of combating human trafficking, which has increasingly moved to digital platforms. Brunner also shared alarming estimates that illegal immigration generates between 5,000 and 7,000 million euros annually, making it the second most lucrative illicit business after drug trafficking.
Brunner also pointed out that, while Spain opposes the deportation centers, the EU is promoting legal pathways for migration and strengthening cooperation to tackle trafficking. The solidarity fund for migration was also endorsed, albeit with the contentious reduced migrant relocation figures.
In sum, these reforms reveal Europe's push for stronger external migration controls combined with internal solidarity mechanisms, but they also expose tensions within the EU, highlighted by Spain's objections to key aspects of the policy.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
